Paris to the Past: Traveling through French History by Train (2011) by Ina Caro. The author centers herself in Paris, then tours French history and architecture by means of day rail trips. An interesting approach, good background and a good style make it an enjoyable read — and make the reader anxious to repeat her journeys.
The History of the Conquest of Mexico (1843) by William Hickling Prescott, a classic of American historical literature. I’m reading the 99¢ Kindle version.
I think I will follow this however, with Conquest: Cortes, Montezuma, and the Fall of Old Mexico (1995) by Hugh Thomas. As good as Prescott’s storytelling is, it is still dated both in research and style.
